Archives for September 2008

Pop Beauty Wallet Eye Shadow Palettes Are Cute, Convenient and Affordable

September 5th, 2008 by Karen 29 Comments

I popped by Sephora this afternoon to snag a jar of Stila Hydrating Finishing Powder. I’d been wanting to try it for a while (review coming soon!), but, like a true makeup junkie, I couldn’t just grab one thing and leave. I had to look around, and then these cute Wallet Palettes by Pop Beauty took hold of me and wouldn’t let go!

A Real Eye Shadow Bargain

There are seven of them, ranging in price from $32 to $42. Each wallet contains a different color-themed eye shadow palette. They go by the names Brown Eyes, Green Eyes, Blue Eyes, Smokey Eyes, Smokey Rose, Day to Play and Bronze Pop.

The palettes are mixes of coordinated shimmers and matte shadows; a couple of them also come with blushes and lipsticks.

I think my favorites are Smokey Rose and Day to Play ($42 each).

Smokey Rose’s purple, faux-snakeskin case is packed with enough to create several different smokey looks — 12 eye shadows (shades of neutral pink, rose and blue), four blushes and two lipsticks. I can totally see myself packing these for a weekend trip! And the price… I really like the sound of $42 for 18 products. That works out to $2.33 each!

And Day to Play’s cute silver wallet houses 24 (!) eye shadows. At $1.75 each, it’s one of the better eye shadow bargains I’ve seen in a while.
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YOU MUST CHOOSE: The NY Fashion Week Edition

September 5th, 2008 by Karen 22 Comments

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week kicks off today in New York with appearances by Perry Ellis, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Rubin Singer, Yigal Azrouel Women and more. To trumpet their arrival, let’s work that catwalk, b*tches! YOU MUST CHOOSE!

1. It seems like everyone’s throwing post-runway parties after the shows. After saying “YES!” one too many times, you realize you double booked. Will it be tanning at Michael Kors’ condo, OR will you go out for cocktails with Marc Jacobs?
YOU MUST CHOOSE!

2. Seconds before the start of the show, you’re asked to fill in for an ailing runway model (yah, I’m only 5’1″, but a girl can dream). If given the choice of designers to walk for, which one would it be?
YOU MUST CHOOSE!

3. You’re a model and given impossibly high stilettos for one of the runway shows. You’re almost guaranteed to fall on your ass. Would you rather slip, launching into the first row like a human cannon ball, coming to rest face first in C. Bale’s lap (hot damn!), OR would you rather slip, quickly regain your walking composure, but have one of your boobs pop out of your dress in front of thousands of cameras and national TV? Oh, yeah, and your parents are in the audience. 🙂
YOU MUST CHOOSE!

4. Under orders from your employer, you must attend a bunch of high fashion after-parties wearing one of two outfits:

an oversized sweatshirt that says “Disneyland, 2004!”, your rattiest pair of stretchy pants and some Mickey Mouse ears, OR…
the uniform worn by restaurant employees of Hot Dog on a Stick (including the hat).

YOU MUST CHOOSE!

5. Whom would you rather talk fashion sense with over coffee and donuts — Diane von Furstenberg (yup, I watched Project Runway the other night) OR Karl Lagerfeld?
YOU MUST CHOOSE!

Extra question for Project Runway Fans!

6. Which Project Runway contestants will make it to Bryant Park this season?
YOU MUST CHOOSE!

The Questions

1. Tanning with Michael Kors or cocktails with Marc Jacobs?

2. Which designer to walk for?

3. C. Bale’s lap or exposed boob?

4. Disney sweatshirt or Hot Dog on a Stick uniform?

5. Coffee and donuts with Diane or Karl?

6. Which Project Runway finalists make it to Bryant Park?

This morning I’m driving into SF (they just raised the Golden Gate Bridge toll to $6, yo!) to meet someone for a freelance project, but I’ll try to make time for a pit stop at Sephora. 🙂

What are you up to today? Do you have plans for the weekend?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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Giorgio Armani Lip Wax: Like MAC Mattenes Only Glossier

September 4th, 2008 by Karen 39 Comments

What comes to mind when you hear the words, “Giorgio Armani Lip Wax“? If you’re preoccupied with excess hair removal like I am, you probably pictured a hairy ‘stache, hot wax and hair removal strips.

Nope!

Lip Wax is actually Giorgio Armani’s latest compact lipstick. These fab $26 lipsticks have a silky, feather-light formula that glides across lips like silk lingerie on smooth skin.

The semi-matte finish contains a hint of gloss, making it perfect for elegant, ladylike looks. Grab your pocketbook, pull on your white gloves and don your pillbox hat because it’s time to hit the tea party circuit, Ms. Thang.

Giorgio Armani Lip Wax, No. 4

Giorgio Armani Lip Wax, No. 6

Giorgio Armani’s Lip Wax Shades

Number one (nude beige): a shade lighter than the natural lip color

Number two, (antique rose) : a discreet lip highlight

Number three (sienna) : brings warmth to the lips

Number four (raspberry) : pink purple

Number five (cardinal red) :a bright, transparent red

Number six (deep Chianti) : a rich color for strong marked lips

Each of the six shades comes in its own elegant black compact (no brush included). For the lip pics above I applied the colors with a MAC 316 lip brush, but fingers would also work fine for a light lip stain.
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Stila Perfecting Concealer Makes Dark Circles See the Light

September 4th, 2008 by Karen 34 Comments

Stila Perfecting Concealer is pretty much the mother truckin’ jam. I’ve been under the weather and not sleeping well, so my dark circles have taken on a scary, Marc Anthony-esque purple hue.

The cold I caught the other day made me want to stay home from the office, tucked under blankets on the couch, but a big project at work meant I had to tough it out, so, what was I going to do about the scary dark purple circles under my eyes?

The answer to my dark circles was Stila’s Perfecting Concealer in Shade F. I’ve been applying it with my Sonia Kashuk Concealer Brush and then smoothing out the edges with a fingertip.

Perfecting Concealer covers up my circles really well — almost too well, in fact. I think my boss started doubting whether or not I was really sick because I looked almost like my normal self.

I love the pigmentation Stila crammed into this stuff. I barely need to use any at all — just two tiny dots per eye (diminishing returns beyond that). At this rate, I figure this one lil’ tube should last a long while.

The formula comes in a bit on the thick side, but it’s still a cinch to apply and blend. As far as longevity, it easily lasts all day long without even beginning to fade.

I love natural looking cosmetics. Being made up without looking made up is always a challenge, but Perfecting Concealer is up to the task. The coverage almost couldn’t be more natural. The product doesn’t settle into my fine lines and doesn’t appear too obvious or like it’s sitting on top of my skin.

Scary circles before Stila Perfecting Concealer — picture taken without the camera flash

After one layer of Stila Perfecting Concealer — also without the flash

Before, with the flash

After, with the flash

Stila Perfecting Concealer

Price: $22
Use: To conceal dark circles and skin discolorations
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+

For me, Perfecting Concealer is a hidden gem in the Stila line. I dunno how I’ve made it so long without it! Now, of course, I’m stoked to try the other face products in the line. Stila seems to have a great shade selection. Here’s to good luck finding a matching foundation and powder, too!

Do you have experience with Stila foundations, concealers or powders? How do you feel about the line?

Feeling almost back to normal… 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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September Retro Roundup: One Year Ago on Makeup and Beauty Blog

September 3rd, 2008 by Karen 35 Comments

Happy hump day, ladies. Yours truly came down with a summer cold last night. My nose is stuffed up, my body aches, and I can’t taste anything. What is life, I ask you, if you can’t enjoy the taste of your greasy Chinese chicken chow mein?

Have a great day today, and wash those hands often because the cold is going around.

I thought I’d take a quick look back into the archives while I sip some guava juice. Last September was a fun month.

Interview with MAC Viva Glam Spokesperson Dita Von Teese

Makeup and Beauty Blog: So what MAC makeup are you wearing today?
Dita Von Teese: Well, lets see … I hope I can remember! I think my cheek color is called Dame. My lip color is Russian Red with a Lip Lacquer called Fan Plastico over that. And I have liquid liner and MAC false lashes (of course!). I have Vapor eyeshadow and MAC mineralize powder on. Click to read the rest…

MAC Mattene Lipsticks Review

While I was initially skeptical of the return of matte, I ended up being pleasantly surprised. I guess if Marky Mark can morph from an underwear model with a busy, pants-dropping schedule, to an Academy Award Nominee, matte lipsticks can evolve as well. Click to read the rest…

Hair Product Reviews – Phytodensium Anti-Aging Shampoo and Serum

You might need anti-aging products if…

You didn’t get an e-mail account until you took a class that required you to get one … in college.
You own a mix tape that you made off the local hip hop station; extra points if Salt & Pepa’s “Push It” or MC Hammer’s “Can’t Touch This” are on it.
You remember when girls didn’t talk about waxing or tweezing their eyebrows.
Your O.G. “skinny jeans” were of the Bongo or Guess variety, and they were so tight that after lunch you could barely breathe in history class.
You had or knew someone who had a spiral perm gone wrong.
Your bullsh*t-o-meter is finely tuned because you’ve “heard it all before.” Click to read the rest…

Tarte Fall 2007 — Natural Beauty Cheek Stain, Inside Out Lipstick, Rejuvalash Set

“A lovely color that would be good for ladies or makeup loving gents who want an easy, natural cheek look. Apply sparingly or risk Bozo the Clown mega-status.” Click to read the rest…

Makeup Tips from Emmy Makeup Artist Bruce Grayson

Makeup and Beauty Blog: HDTV is notorious for showing extreme detail in makeup, and some makeup companies like Kryolan are even creating special products to adjust to the fine detail of High Definition TV. What tricks and products do you like to use to deal with HDTV?
Bruce Grayson: The first thing I do is become buddies with the cameraman. Lighting is the most important element in HD. Second I make sure that the skin is even tone using a minimum of foundation and thin concealers only where needed. I always defuse eyeliners, especially black which can look harsh in HD. Before I even begin to apply eye make-up, I like to start with Olay Definity Eye Illuminator ($25.99 at drugstores nationwide) because it has multi-colored micas that help to hide imperfections. It limits the amount of make-up I need to use around the eye. Click to read the rest…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Diorshow Iconic Mascara Lengthens, Curls and Defines Lashes with Ease

September 2nd, 2008 by Karen 50 Comments

Some products are so good in certain ways that their strengths totally outweigh their weaknesses. For me, Diorshow Iconic Mascara ($27) is one of those products.

The newest member of Dior’s lash arsenal doesn’t produce the thickest lashes I’ve ever seen. It doesn’t thicken as well as, say, Chanel Exceptionnel does, but it lengthens, curls and defines lashes so amazingly well that I don’t mind at all.

It’s even easy to apply, never clumping or flaking. Together, its strengths make Iconic one of the overall best mascaras I’ve tried in years.

With its long, skinny teeth, the plastic comb brush morphs my lashes into a natural-looking feathered fringe. The brush grabs even the smallest and stubbiest individual lashes, thoroughly coating and defining each one with mascara. The result is long, dark lashes of equal length.

This is what two coats of Iconic looks like. I think it’s a natural lash look (yet still a little sexy) with added oomph. This stuff is totally like the hot girl-next-door of mascaras.
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Miss Oops Mishap Tape Prevents Wardrobe Mishaps

September 2nd, 2008 by Karen 33 Comments

Carrie Bradshaw can get away with flashing her bra straps on Sex and the City, but I never got behind the fashionably visible undergarments trend. Some girls can pull it off, but when my bra straps show, I feel exposed. When I’m wearing a loose-fitting dress or top, I reach for Miss Oops Mishap Tape ($7).

Made from a hypo-allergenic adhesive, Mishap Tape is transparent, super sticky, stretchy and double-sided. I apply it directly to my bra straps, clothes and skin. A single $7 box contains 36 strips, which can be cut or torn down to fit the job at hand.

Unlike double-sided office tapes used to mount paintings and seal envelopes, Mishap Tape easily adheres to skin and clothing, is hypo-allergenic, won’t stain fabrics and the tape itself stretches to move with your body.

Perfect for hiding bra straps, Mishap Tape also works to close gaps on button-up shirts, to keep strapless tops or dresses from falling, to fix loose hems or to keep “the girls” from peeking out of a low-cut top.

I keep a few strips of it in my wallet because cause ya never know when a hem will come loose. They’re also easy to use. I wore an orange dress to the art store the other day, and my bra straps kept trying to to make an appearance.

I applied Mishap Tape directly to the straps, pressing the dress against the tape to keep it in place.

It took about a minute to do and lasted the entire day.

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, September 1

September 1st, 2008 by Karen 75 Comments

Glacier National Park, Montana, 2002

Mood:

Relaxed and glad for the Labor Day holiday.

Outfit:

An old pair of Victoria’s Secret Pink sweats in green and a white tank top

Blush:

MAC Blushbaby, a long-time favorite

Fragrance:

A sample of Clean Shower Fresh Eau de Parfum

Song of the Day:

Born Raised, by Joy Denalane

Mascara:

Dior Diorshow Iconic Mascara Noir

Highlights of the weekend so far:

Sleeping in a couple times; seeing the faces of so many kids light up when they saw the balloon-covered float that El Hub and I pulled in yesterday’s Labor Day parade

Breakfast:

A butter croissant from the French bakery across the street and coffee with lots of milk and a little sugar

Lovin’ it:

Waking up to a song that moves my soul, late summers in the Bay Area and this *totally incredible* Kermit Bale site (LOLOL!)

Goals for the day:

Go through the crap piling up in my office, make time for some fun today, go for a run around the neighborhood, grocery shopping

Your turn! Just copy the empty list, and paste it with your answers in the comments. 🙂

Le list

Mood:
Outfit:
Blush:
Fragrance:
Song of the Day:
Mascara:
Highlights of the weekend:
Breakfast:
Lovin’ it:
Goals for the day:

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen
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